Advancing Open Repositories in Ireland: A Survey and Strategic Recommendations for National Progress

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The survey reveals fragmented metadata practices in Irish repositories. Highlighting the urgent need for national cooperation and standardisation. The goal is now to elevate Irish open repositories and align with European and International best practices and standards. Staffing disparities highlight the need for dedicated resources with recommendations for collaborative national initiatives and training.


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Introduction

The survey of Open Repositories in Ireland was conducted between April 24 and May 30, 2023, as part of the National Open Research Forum (NORF) funded project on strengthening and aligning Ireland's Open Repositories. This survey engaged stakeholders from educational, governmental, and research institutions, seeking to evaluate key performance indicators related to repository provision and management. The resultant findings offer critical insights into the current state of open repositories in Ireland and pave the way for strategic recommendations to advance the open research landscape. The survey builds towards a national landscape report that more broadly audits existing practices for Irish repositories involving a comprehensive approach, blending desk research with active engagement and analysis. The full landscape report with an initial national roadmap for open repositories is due in Q1 2024.

Vision

This work aims to establish Ireland as a leader in open research, fostering a scholarly environment where repositories seamlessly support ambitious research goals. The objective is to align with international standards, ensuring a coordinated and efficient national infrastructure that places Ireland on par with international best practices and in a position to contribute significantly to global research.

Current State

The survey found a notable disparity in metadata practices across Irish repositories. While individual efforts align with international standards like OpenAIRE and Plan S, a lack of national coordination impedes the realisation of a cohesive metadata framework. This presents a significant challenge compared to the more coordinated efforts in some European countries.

Persistent identifiers (PIDs), a crucial aspect of repository management, are commonly assigned; however, standardisation, expansion, and integration are identified as immediate needs. The fragmented landscape of staffing and resource allocation further compounds challenges, highlighting the necessity for dedicated personnel and robust resource allocation to ensure effective repository management.

Challenges

The survey data highlights a fragmented repository landscape in Ireland, with some repositories facing sustainability challenges, while others benefit from robust institutional support. The slow progress in achieving metadata alignment and persistent identifier standardisation poses a risk to the Ireland's ability to compete on the European and International stage.

Strategic Recommendations

  1. Collaborative Initiatives: Foster collaborative initiatives to consolidate repository efforts, leveraging shared expertise and resources.
  2. Training Programs: Implement comprehensive training programmes to enhance repository management skills and promote standardised practices.
  3. Metadata Standardisation and National Alignment: Establish a national framework for metadata standardisation, ensuring alignment with international standards and improving interoperability.
  4. Regular Assessments: Conduct regular assessments to monitor progress, identify challenges, and adapt strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the survey provides a foundation for strategic interventions to move Ireland towards a more cohesive and efficient open repository network. The recommendations, focusing on collaboration, training, metadata standardisation, and regular assessments, aim to address existing challenges and position Ireland at the forefront of open research. The vision of a sustainable and equitable scholarly publishing landscape in Ireland can become a reality by investing in shared national infrastructure and advocating for closer coordination.

Read the full survey report https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10390626 

Future landscape report and roadmap

The upcoming broader audit of Irish repositories involves comprehensive desk research to explore international tools, standards, and policies. The process includes conducting a survey, self-assessment, stakeholder/expert and manager interviews, followed by rigorous data analysis alongside a SWOT. Milestones mark achievements in understanding the local landscape and recognising issues in Irish repositories. The study delves into and understands international best practices by engaging with international organisations. The final stages, in progress now, involve systematic data analysis, gap identification, and reaching the milestone of understanding issues in Irish repositories, paving the way to a tailored national roadmap aligned with international best practices.

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